In the excitement generated by the myriad of new iPhone features unveiled at iOS 16 today, many observers have missed an important and surprising detail. For example, a list of iPhone models that will have access to those features when the software launches this fall.
In a discreet footnote to the iOS 16 press release, Apple said: “New software features will be available this iPhone 8 and later as a free software update.” If you’re still running an iPhone 7, give up an iPhone 6s or first-gen iPhone SE, out of your luck.
We specifically mention those models because all three are on the supported list for iOS 15. This means that the company has withdrawn support from two generations of hardware. Apple usually cuts a single generation iPhone for each update, so squashing a two-year-old iPhone is particularly tough.
Even iPhone 8 owners can’t rest on their laurels, as some elements of the iOS 16 experience will only work on newer handsets. Apple warns, for example, that the new live caption accessibility feature is available on the iPhone 11 and later, while the iPhone 12 Pro and later the LiDAR scanner are required for door detection and people detection.
Bad news for owners of older handsets. But cheer up: you can always use this as an excuse to buy a new iPhone.